waltermwilliams
Joined Feb 2016
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waltermwilliams's rating
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waltermwilliams's rating
To get a handle on the latest movie based on legendary horror author Stephen King's 1979 novel (under his pen name Richard Bachman), "The Long Walk" imagine "Hunger Games" meets "Stand By Me" and the baby is an R rated "Squid Game" Yankee style and you're closer to the premise and vibe.
The plot is "simples" as a Meerkat once said in an insurance commercial.
"Walk or Die" and you must keep up a steady pace of 3 miles per hour...stop and you only get 3 warnings before you get lead poisoning and don't even think about walking off the tarmac.
The last man standing plot line makes me think Aussie Winter Olympics Gold medalist Stephen Bradbury was a consultant.
50 young men (no women) are chosen in a "Lottery" from amongst thousands who annually volunteer to walk an unspecified distance to be the last man standing and be granted one wish plus riches beyond their wildest dreams in a time of economic hardship.
The only female cast member with a speaking role is Judy Greer.
A lot of people are saying this story is set in the not too distant future, but I disagree.
"The Long Walk" timeline is a dystopian America destroyed by conflict, set 19 years after what must be World War 2 judging by fashion, technology cars and farming equipment, making it around 1964.
Thus making it a "what if" the last major war drained the USA instead of boosting its riches.
The prize money for the winner is a huge incentive in a time of poverty.
People who watch from the sidelines are clearly struggling and middle America is dying.
They are trying to make America great again with this brutal contest that's allegedly designed to increase productivity and prosperity, to incentivise US citizens to work harder to increase the GDP.
It also feels quite topical with America deeply divided by politics and heartbreaking assassinations.
The good ol' boys Second Amendment still in place since the 1700's in the Wild West.
"The Long Walk" has strict rules that contestants must follow or die.
The conditions are disturbing and I found myself looking away from the big screen.
The good thing was the cinema didn't expect me to walk on a treadmill for the 1 hour and 48 minutes duration of the film like they did at some preview nights.
I know what you're thinking: how do you go to the bathroom on a seemingly endless walk through day, night, rain, hail or shine?
You'll be wishing you hadn't asked that question before too long...because its quite graphic.
All I'm saying is don't eat the prunes.
Interestingly "The Long Walk" opening titles don't even appear till about 20 plus minutes into the movie.
The two lead actors are young up and comers.
I'm watching the character "Raymond" thinking he's so much like a young Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Then in my research discover it's his son, Cooper.
He is going to be a superstar.
His leading co-star is David Johnson as "Peter".
This amazing young actor is best known as "Andy" in "Alien: Romulus"...also an actor to keep an eye on.
Watch out for: The busiest 73 year old in Hollywood, Mark Hamill, as the Military dictatorship "Major" overseeing "The Long Walk" from the safety of his armed military vehicle.
Also shout outs to actors Charlie Plummer and Ben Wang, plus JT Mollner's screenplay.
"The Long Walk" despite the brutality has a dark sense of humour like around the 200 mile mark the remaining weary walkers pass a billboard saying, "Next time take the train and travel in comfort".
It's a far from perfect film adaptation, but it's a good interpretation of Kings work, it's just a pity the ending lets down everything building to this moment.
You wouldn't think watching a small central cast walk hundreds of miles an interesting premise, but American filmmaker, Francis Lawrence ("Hunger Games") does a remarkable job of making this film entertaining, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
The plot is "simples" as a Meerkat once said in an insurance commercial.
"Walk or Die" and you must keep up a steady pace of 3 miles per hour...stop and you only get 3 warnings before you get lead poisoning and don't even think about walking off the tarmac.
The last man standing plot line makes me think Aussie Winter Olympics Gold medalist Stephen Bradbury was a consultant.
50 young men (no women) are chosen in a "Lottery" from amongst thousands who annually volunteer to walk an unspecified distance to be the last man standing and be granted one wish plus riches beyond their wildest dreams in a time of economic hardship.
The only female cast member with a speaking role is Judy Greer.
A lot of people are saying this story is set in the not too distant future, but I disagree.
"The Long Walk" timeline is a dystopian America destroyed by conflict, set 19 years after what must be World War 2 judging by fashion, technology cars and farming equipment, making it around 1964.
Thus making it a "what if" the last major war drained the USA instead of boosting its riches.
The prize money for the winner is a huge incentive in a time of poverty.
People who watch from the sidelines are clearly struggling and middle America is dying.
They are trying to make America great again with this brutal contest that's allegedly designed to increase productivity and prosperity, to incentivise US citizens to work harder to increase the GDP.
It also feels quite topical with America deeply divided by politics and heartbreaking assassinations.
The good ol' boys Second Amendment still in place since the 1700's in the Wild West.
"The Long Walk" has strict rules that contestants must follow or die.
The conditions are disturbing and I found myself looking away from the big screen.
The good thing was the cinema didn't expect me to walk on a treadmill for the 1 hour and 48 minutes duration of the film like they did at some preview nights.
I know what you're thinking: how do you go to the bathroom on a seemingly endless walk through day, night, rain, hail or shine?
You'll be wishing you hadn't asked that question before too long...because its quite graphic.
All I'm saying is don't eat the prunes.
Interestingly "The Long Walk" opening titles don't even appear till about 20 plus minutes into the movie.
The two lead actors are young up and comers.
I'm watching the character "Raymond" thinking he's so much like a young Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Then in my research discover it's his son, Cooper.
He is going to be a superstar.
His leading co-star is David Johnson as "Peter".
This amazing young actor is best known as "Andy" in "Alien: Romulus"...also an actor to keep an eye on.
Watch out for: The busiest 73 year old in Hollywood, Mark Hamill, as the Military dictatorship "Major" overseeing "The Long Walk" from the safety of his armed military vehicle.
Also shout outs to actors Charlie Plummer and Ben Wang, plus JT Mollner's screenplay.
"The Long Walk" despite the brutality has a dark sense of humour like around the 200 mile mark the remaining weary walkers pass a billboard saying, "Next time take the train and travel in comfort".
It's a far from perfect film adaptation, but it's a good interpretation of Kings work, it's just a pity the ending lets down everything building to this moment.
You wouldn't think watching a small central cast walk hundreds of miles an interesting premise, but American filmmaker, Francis Lawrence ("Hunger Games") does a remarkable job of making this film entertaining, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
"The Roses" opens with a very familiar tune heard on every 10th soundtrack "Happy Together", but this time it's not "The Turtles" performing, instead it's a version by Suzannah Hoffs and Rufus Wainwright that opens this movies eclectic soundtrack.
So, right from the start you know this going to be a slightly different, original telling of the novel by Warren Adler.
The first time we saw this on a big screen was 1989 when Bob Hawke was Prime Minister of Australia and The Bangles went to number one on the Aria charts.
Ironically Susanna Hoffs was the singer, songwriter, guitarist with that band she founded.
In that bygone era Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner starred in "The War of the Roses".
By 2025, some peoples attention spans have dropped lower than a Goldfish, so the title was abbreviated to "The Roses" and Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman move into the lead roles.
Life seems easy for "Theo" a successful architect and "Ivy" a chef who's chosen motherhood over career when they move stateside from the UK.
Until disaster strikes and the reversal of fortunes kicks in.
Now Ivy's accidentally successful restaurant "We've Got Crabs!" is franchising.
Let's face it this was better than naming the restaurant "We've Got Chlamydia".
The overwhelming English cast includes "Doctor Who" (Ncuti Gatwa) as the flamboyant front of house manager for "Ivy".
Meanwhile there's a side story of "Theo" raising the children and turning them into super athletes.
One of my takeaways from this flick is "Pain is just weakness leaving the body." I'll remember that next time I'm doing an excruciating leg press or bench press at the gym.
"The Roses" has hints of the 1948 comedy classic "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy.
In this version there's even Irish Moss on the roof, because American Moss simply won't do!
Comic actors Andy Samberg and Kate Minnon make up the US actors union numbers, but don't add much to the movie.
Honestly Kate was an oxygen thief.
Watch out for: Allison Janney as bad ass divorce lawyer "Eleanor". She is such a a scene stealer and you only see her once.
The loving marriage, great children scenario is slowly undermined until it's destroyed at a house warming dinner party in their forever dream house with some witty lines dropping.
Director Jay Roach (also married to Susanna Hoffs for over 30 years) is no stranger to comedies and he's in full throttle control with "The Roses".
"The Roses" is a tinder box ready to explode with fierce competition, hidden resentment and raw emotions.
They need to remember as the Kaiser Chiefs once sang, "Loves Not A Competition (But I'm Winning)".
It's funny and sad to see this marriage and relationship crash on the rocks below their dream home.
"The Roses"is a fresh exploration of a couple surviving or dying in today's world of social technology.
A storm is brewing and it gets ugly while entertaining you.
So, right from the start you know this going to be a slightly different, original telling of the novel by Warren Adler.
The first time we saw this on a big screen was 1989 when Bob Hawke was Prime Minister of Australia and The Bangles went to number one on the Aria charts.
Ironically Susanna Hoffs was the singer, songwriter, guitarist with that band she founded.
In that bygone era Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner starred in "The War of the Roses".
By 2025, some peoples attention spans have dropped lower than a Goldfish, so the title was abbreviated to "The Roses" and Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman move into the lead roles.
Life seems easy for "Theo" a successful architect and "Ivy" a chef who's chosen motherhood over career when they move stateside from the UK.
Until disaster strikes and the reversal of fortunes kicks in.
Now Ivy's accidentally successful restaurant "We've Got Crabs!" is franchising.
Let's face it this was better than naming the restaurant "We've Got Chlamydia".
The overwhelming English cast includes "Doctor Who" (Ncuti Gatwa) as the flamboyant front of house manager for "Ivy".
Meanwhile there's a side story of "Theo" raising the children and turning them into super athletes.
One of my takeaways from this flick is "Pain is just weakness leaving the body." I'll remember that next time I'm doing an excruciating leg press or bench press at the gym.
"The Roses" has hints of the 1948 comedy classic "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy.
In this version there's even Irish Moss on the roof, because American Moss simply won't do!
Comic actors Andy Samberg and Kate Minnon make up the US actors union numbers, but don't add much to the movie.
Honestly Kate was an oxygen thief.
Watch out for: Allison Janney as bad ass divorce lawyer "Eleanor". She is such a a scene stealer and you only see her once.
The loving marriage, great children scenario is slowly undermined until it's destroyed at a house warming dinner party in their forever dream house with some witty lines dropping.
Director Jay Roach (also married to Susanna Hoffs for over 30 years) is no stranger to comedies and he's in full throttle control with "The Roses".
"The Roses" is a tinder box ready to explode with fierce competition, hidden resentment and raw emotions.
They need to remember as the Kaiser Chiefs once sang, "Loves Not A Competition (But I'm Winning)".
It's funny and sad to see this marriage and relationship crash on the rocks below their dream home.
"The Roses"is a fresh exploration of a couple surviving or dying in today's world of social technology.
A storm is brewing and it gets ugly while entertaining you.